The FGS plan called for a circle. There were some technical issues with that outline. It calls for crossing the highway and BNSF freight tracks on 10th “almost a cost prohibitive possibility.”

6th street is also a difficult interchange with a a large expanse of “non-frontage” area, essentially a questionable use of valuable rail.

It is my best guess that the citizens board will have great influence on where lines a best installed once the technical experts have “ruled out” the cost prohibitive areas.

You will probably see Lincoln as a key street, the 4th street highway underpass as the cheapest connection to Lincoln, a key East/West street such as Sheridan, Reno, or the new boulevard, and finally a key North/South street connecting the CBD and Arts to St. Anthony.

Automobile Alley and other areas are also worthy of consideration. But it is very important that the route will be chosen through a very laborious process with citizens and engineers.

It will be important to design a system that can be easily expanded as additional funds become available in the future. Also, do not discount the possibility of private funds to further connect important areas in the future. Federal funds may also play a role.

My bad: I confused your “Demolition Man” world with Europa. We don’t have to worry about OKC becoming a perfect society!… AND I don’t think we need a hands-off-the-rim-districts policy. Yes, I think the initial C2S plan is necessary, and MAPS-3 won’t destroy development momentum in the rim districts (heck, the bad economy hasn’t even been able to do that). However, unbridled development of the C2S master plan would offset the finish-out of key gaps, and I favor metering such development for at least a few years. (I don’t have a clue how you would actually govern such a thing… my free-market nature wants to think it would happen naturally.)

Concerning a trolley system… I really haven’t thought about specifics. It would be nice if each rim district had a spur to the Bricktown/Convention area (or maybe some sort of pretzel loop that doesn’t have a hub?).

Once funding is appropriated for a streetcar, the process will quickly move into the “Alternatives Analysis” phase. COTPA People- I would appreciate it if you left it to me to put in “layman’s terms” please.

Alternatives Analysis consists of a citizens advisory board and technical experts/planners. Very similar to the original MAPS 1 citizen boards.

The route decision will be based on priority locations, connectivity, underground buried utilities, and cost.

The route that is displayed in the Fixed Guideway Study will not most likely be the ultimate streetcar route even though there may be parts of it the coincide with the end product.

Obviously, being efficient will mean more rail per dollar. However, factors such as Trigon utility lines may effect the cost effectiveness of particular route.

The basic goal is to connect OU/Health Sciences, Residential (Deep Deuce/Triangle), Bricktown, Convention District, Arts District, and St. Anthony’s.

From what you said above, do I understand that you’re good with the initial Core To Shore being as you described it as not adversely impacting what you’re calling “rim” development and which I’ve dubbed, “Europa.” Is that correct?

Next question: What are your thoughts on the initial trolley route and where should it go to help the rim areas mature?

For me, your opinion counts a very lot.